Along?Strike Variation of Convergence Rate and Pre?Existing Weakness Contribute to Indian Slab Tearing Beneath Tibetan Plateau

A number of geophysical observations reveal that the underthrusting Indian continental plate beneath southern Tibetan Plateau is laterally torn and segmented, with contrasting subduction angles along strike. However, mechanism such kind slab tearing remains unclear. Here, a series 3-D high-resolution numerical models are conducted, which suggest lateral variation (either gradually or abruptly changing) boundary convergence rate plays critical role in slab. The changing large contrast could lead to all by itself, whereas should be combined pre-existing weakness block. structures properties overriding block play secondary roles. Finally, we propose attributed time-dependent during Indian-Asian collision lithospheric weakness.